A special train from Cronulla will take high school students on a trip that could change their lives.
The Stand Tall organisation, which strives to motivate and inspire young people to make safe and wise choices, is inviting shire schools to climb aboard.
Students from throughout Sydney and further afield will gather in the 8000-seat International Convention Centre on June 12 next year to hear young motivational speakers tell how they overcame challenges to succeed in sport, business and other areas of life.
Stand Tall’s patron and chairman is former Wallaby Nick Farr-Jones, who grew up in the shire and played 63 Tests for Australia from 1984 to 1993, including 36 as captain.
The not-for-profit organisation was founded in 2012 by Angela Farr-Jones and Jeanine Treharne in response to the drug use, depression, bullying, hopelessness and self-harm among many high school students.
The size of the annual event has grown each year, leading to the move in 2019 to the International Convention Centre.
Stand Tall had its roots on the north shore and this is the first year it has sought the involvement of shire schools.
Endeavour High School and Kirrawee High School have already committed to sending a total of about 450 Year 9 students, and dance troupes from the two schools will perform.
The organisers would welcome approaches from other schools.
The material presented fits in the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum, and is followed up by teachers back at school.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes support the initiative.
Mr Farr-Jones said the event provided “a huge injection of hope” to the students.
“They leave the day a different person,” he said.
“The testimonies we get from both students and teachers are quite phenomenal.
“Every school that came this year has re-booked for next year.
“One hundred per cent of the teachers surveyed after this year’s event said they would recommend it to other schools.
“About 75 per cent of students surveyed said they were motivated to change something about their lives.”
Ms Treharne said the organisation’s purpose was in its motto: “Bringing hope to young lives”.
“Research shows only 45 per cent of high school students in Australia say they have hope for the future,” she said.
”We want to bring hope and inspiration.”
Ms Farr-Jones said students would “hear from amazing people telling them, ‘we have been through stuff, but made it through. and here’s how we did it’ ”.
“They will learn specific ways to set goals and find their purpose,” she said.
Former state MP for Cronulla Malcolm Kerr said he believed it was “a very good initiative” and he was impressed by its continuity.
Speakers at the 2019 event will include shire Olympian Eloise Wellings, blind surfer Derek Rabelo, who has spoken at a number of shire events and Em Carey, who was paralysed in a near-fatal parachute jump.
More information: https://www.standtallevent.com/
